Can I make this cake in round pans instead of a 9x13?

Absolutely! This recipe will work in two 8-inch or 9-inch round pans. Reduce the baking time to about 25-30 minutes and check for doneness with a toothpick. Layer them with frosting in between for a beautiful layered effect.

Why use clear vanilla extract instead of regular?

Clear vanilla extract keeps the cake base truly white, allowing the pastel colors to appear more vibrant. Regular vanilla has a brown tint that may slightly darken the batter. However, if you only have regular vanilla, it will still taste delicious!

Can I make this cake without an electric mixer?

While an electric mixer makes the job much easier, you can mix this cake by hand with a whisk. Make sure your butter is very soft for the frosting, and be prepared for a good arm workout! The cake may not be quite as light, but it will still be delicious.

How do I prevent my cake from being dry?

The sour cream in this recipe is the key to moisture! Make sure not to overbake - start checking a few minutes before the suggested baking time. Also, measure your ingredients accurately, as too much flour can result in a dry cake.

Easy Pastel Easter Cake Recipe

Name: Easy Pastel Easter Cake Recipe
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 1 h
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 box white cake mix; ¼ cup water; 4 egg whites; ½ cup vegetable oil; 1 cup sour cream; 1-2 tsp clear vanilla extract; Blue, pink, and yellow food coloring (either gel or liquid); Pastel-colored sprinkles; ½ cup butter, softened (not melted); 2 cups powdered sugar; ¼ tsp salt; 1 ½ tsp vanilla extract; 2-4 tsp heavy cream, or you can use milk; Food coloring (optional)

This heavenly Easy Pastel Easter Cake is a showstopper that takes minimal effort to create! With its delightful marble effect of soft pastel colors and fluffy homemade frosting, this cake brings spring vibes to your table in under an hour of active time. Perfect for Easter gatherings or any springtime celebration when you want something impressive without spending hours in the kitchen!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Gorgeous with Little Effort: The marbling technique creates a beautiful pastel swirl effect that looks like you spent hours, when it actually takes just minutes!
Foolproof Results: Starting with a cake mix base means consistent results every time, even if you’re not an experienced baker.
Customizable Colors: Choose traditional Easter pastels or any color combination that matches your celebration theme.
Super Moist Texture: The addition of sour cream transforms regular box cake into something truly special with incredible moisture and richness.
Perfect for Celebrations: Makes a stunning centerpiece for Easter gatherings that both kids and adults will adore.

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Cake:

White cake mix: Provides the perfect neutral base for our pastel colors to shine.
Egg whites: Keep the cake light in color and texture, allowing the pastel hues to remain true.
Vegetable oil: Adds moisture and tenderness to the crumb.
Sour cream: The secret ingredient that transforms box mix into bakery-quality cake by adding richness and incredible moisture.
Clear vanilla extract: Maintains the white base color without the brown tint regular vanilla can add.
Food coloring (blue, pink, and yellow): Creates the beautiful pastel swirls – gel colors offer more vibrant results with less liquid.
Pastel-colored sprinkles: Adds festive finishing touch that elevates the presentation.

For the Frosting:

Butter: Use real butter at room temperature for the creamiest, most flavorful frosting.
Powdered sugar: Provides structure and sweetness to the frosting.
Salt: Just a pinch balances the sweetness and enhances flavor.
Vanilla extract: Adds warmth and depth of flavor.
Heavy cream: Creates that perfectly spreadable texture – can substitute milk in a pinch.
Food coloring (optional): For tinting the frosting if desired.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

Color Themes: Switch up the pastel colors to match any holiday or occasion – try red, white and blue for Fourth of July or school colors for a graduation.
Chocolate Swirl: Replace one color with chocolate cake batter for a different flavor dimension.
Flavor Infusions: Add different extracts like almond, lemon, or coconut to customize the flavor profile.
Filling Surprise: Cut the cooled cake horizontally and spread a layer of fruit preserves before frosting.
Texture Add-Ins: Fold miniature chocolate chips or colored sprinkles into one or more of the colored batters for surprise texture.

How to Make Easy Pastel Easter Cake

Step 1: Prepare the Batter

Preheat your oven to 350°F and grease a 9×13 baking dish thoroughly. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cake mix, water, egg whites, oil, sour cream, and clear vanilla extract. Beat with an electric mixer on low speed for 30 seconds until the ingredients come together. Scrape down the sides of the bowl, then increase to medium speed for 2 minutes, stopping occasionally to scrape the bowl again.

Step 2: Create the Base Layer

Pour about 2 cups of the white batter into your prepared baking pan, spreading it evenly to create your base layer. This will help the colored swirls stand out beautifully when the cake is sliced.

Step 3: Color the Remaining Batter

Divide the remaining batter between three medium bowls (approximately ½ cup in each). Add a few drops of blue food coloring to one bowl, pink to another, and yellow to the third. Start with just a drop or two and stir thoroughly before adding more until you achieve your desired pastel shade.

Step 4: Create the Marble Effect

Drop spoonfuls of each colored batter randomly across the white batter base. Don’t worry about being precise – the random pattern creates the most interesting effect! Once all colored batter is added, take a butter knife and gently run it through the batter in a swirling motion. Don’t overmix – just a few passes will create beautiful marbled effects.

Step 5: Bake the Cake

Bake in your preheated oven for 30-35 minutes. To test doneness, insert a toothpick into the center – it should come out clean or with just a few crumbs. Allow the cake to cool completely before frosting, at least one hour.

Step 6: Make the Frosting

In a clean mixing bowl, whip the softened butter with an electric mixer for 1-2 minutes until it becomes lighter in color and fluffy. Add the powdered sugar and salt, then beat on low to medium speed for about a minute until well combined, pausing occasionally to scrape down the sides. Add the vanilla and 2 tablespoons of heavy cream, then beat for another minute. If you want colored frosting, add food coloring now. Add additional cream if needed to reach your desired spreading consistency, then whip for one final minute until light and fluffy.

Step 7: Decorate

Spread the frosting evenly over the completely cooled cake. Top with pastel Easter sprinkles for that perfect festive finish!

Pro Tips for Making the Recipe

Room Temperature Ingredients: For the fluffiest cake, allow eggs and sour cream to come to room temperature before mixing.
Don’t Overmix: Beat just until ingredients are incorporated to avoid a tough cake.
Color Control: Add food coloring gradually – you can always add more, but you can’t take it away! Gel colors provide more vibrant results with less liquid.
Create Depth: For the most impressive marble effect, drop different colors of batter at various depths in the white base layer.
Cooling is Crucial: Never frost a warm cake – the frosting will melt and you’ll end up with a mess. Patience yields the best results!
Frosting Application: For the smoothest finish, use an offset spatula rather than a regular knife.

How to Serve

This Easter cake is versatile enough to be the star of various spring celebrations:

As a Dessert Centerpiece:

Serve generous slices after your Easter dinner alongside fresh berries or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

For Brunch:

Pair with coffee, tea, or mimosas for an Easter brunch gathering.

Kid-Friendly Presentation:

Add a few Easter-themed decorations or candies on top for an extra festive touch kids will love.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store covered at room temperature for up to 2 days, or refrigerate for up to 5 days. Allow refrigerated cake to come to room temperature before serving for the best texture and flavor.

Freezing

This cake freezes beautifully! You can freeze unfrosted cake for up to 3 months. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. For frosted cake, freeze unwrapped until frosting is firm, then wrap securely. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator.

Make Ahead Options

Prepare the cake up to 2 days in advance and store covered at room temperature. You can also make the frosting a day ahead and refrigerate in an airtight container. Let frosting come to room temperature and whip briefly before using.

FAQs

Can I make this cake in round pans instead of a 9×13?

Absolutely! This recipe will work in two 8-inch or 9-inch round pans. Reduce the baking time to about 25-30 minutes and check for doneness with a toothpick. Layer them with frosting in between for a beautiful layered effect.
Why use clear vanilla extract instead of regular?

Clear vanilla extract keeps the cake base truly white, allowing the pastel colors to appear more vibrant. Regular vanilla has a brown tint that may slightly darken the batter. However, if you only have regular vanilla, it will still taste delicious!
Can I make this cake without an electric mixer?

While an electric mixer makes the job much easier, you can mix this cake by hand with a whisk. Make sure your butter is very soft for the frosting, and be prepared for a good arm workout! The cake may not be quite as light, but it will still be delicious.
How do I prevent my cake from being dry?

The sour cream in this recipe is the key to moisture! Make sure not to overbake – start checking a few minutes before the suggested baking time. Also, measure your ingredients accurately, as too much flour can result in a dry cake.

Final Thoughts

This Easy Pastel Easter Cake brings together simplicity and beauty in the most delightful way. The gorgeous swirled colors inside create that wow moment when you slice into it, while the homemade frosting elevates it beyond a typical box mix cake. Whether you’re an experienced baker or just starting out, this recipe delivers impressive results that will have everyone at your Easter gathering asking for seconds. The best part? You’ll know how little effort it actually took to create this showstopper!